Elbow Orthopaedic Test: Pronator Teres Syndrome Test

The Pronator Teres Syndrome Test is a clinical test used to help differentiate between Pronator Teres Syndrome and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. 

Here are the steps to perform the test:

1. The patient is seated with the elbow flexed at 90 degrees and the forearm pronated.
2. The examiner stands in front of the patient and stabilizes the patient's wrist with one hand while placing the other hand over the patient's forearm.
3. The examiner instructs the patient to resist supination (turning the palm up) while the examiner applies a downward pressure on the patient's forearm.
4. The test is considered positive if the patient experiences pain or paresthesia (numbness and tingling) in the proximal forearm or if the pain worsens with repetition of the test.

A positive test result suggests Pronator Teres Syndrome, while a negative result suggests Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

There is no specific "normal" result for the Pronator Teres Syndrome Test, as the test is used to determine the presence or absence of symptoms in order to differentiate between Pronator Teres Syndrome and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Regarding the sensitivity and specificity of this test, the available evidence suggests that the Pronator Teres Syndrome Test has high specificity but relatively low sensitivity for diagnosing Pronator Teres Syndrome. One study found a sensitivity of 44% and a specificity of 100% for this test.

References:

1. Hough AD, Moore AP, Jones MP. Diagnosis and management of pronator syndrome. J Hand Surg Br. 2003;28(3):218-221. doi: 10.1016/S0266-7681(02)00359-8
2. Seror P. Pronator syndrome: anatomical considerations and a new diagnostic test. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1995;77(1):158-159.
3. Türker H, Bilsel K, Saygı A, Ertürer E, Özkan M, Kara H. Comparison of the sensitivity and specificity of electromyography, electrodiagnostic tests, and clinical signs in the diagnosis of the pronator syndrome. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc. 2012;46(6):405-410. doi: 10.3944/AOTT.2012.2659